There has been a little discussion about a short trip to France, possibly a camping one but in May/early June there are great mobile home deals and midweek options. My own personal preference is for camping but a few have suggested its not for them so maybe the mobile home type of option might be a good compromise?

Say arrive Thursday morning depart Monday or Tuesday evening. Choice of ferries, from Dublin, Rosslare or Cork [Saturday only]. French ports choice Cherbourg Roscoff or St Nazaire. Possibly go out on one route and back on another.

I am just putting this post up to see what interest we might generate. 88KE and myself have explored the idea in depth but due to work commitments we have to be very flexible so nothing is cast in stone.

Hi
I will keep an eye on this if you are prepared to accept an Englishman.

I came back to the post to add an edit that anyone from England or France would be very welcome to find I was beaten to it.

Needless to say K100LT Notts you are very welcome.

And what about those from south of France? Is the invitation extended to us as well?  

TacKler wrote:And what about those from south of France? Is the invitation extended to us as well?  

You cant get through Afghanistan at the moment so you have to go round the top through Mongolia and that will take too long so I wont go.

TacKler wrote:And what about those from south of France? Is the invitation extended to us as well?  

Hi TacKler 

You would be most welcome. Your definition of 'south of France' is delightfully ambiguous but sure its only a short ride for you across the mountains. We would be happy to meet up with anyone.

Thanks 92,

Just waiting on confirmation of a K and I should be hanging around the Alps in May.  I was not planning on heading over to the west coast during the trip but I may need a couple of days to thaw out if the passes are still covered in snow. 

Will keep in contact as the trip gets closer. 

Cheers, Dave.

Sorry Olaf,
I will be riding bikes down in Oz in late May - early June.

Trip to my brothers 50th birthday in Melbourne is confirmed 30th May to 13th June. Plane tickets bought.

He will have two midweek trips organised (his birthday is on Sat 7th), and bikes fueled and ready.

Life is just one long hard struggle   

But no doubt we will have a trip or two closer to home before June.

Keep me posted - camping or other
I like the black stuff too, but in France je prefer le vin
Colin

That's a definite maybe.
Like the caravan idea.
Don't forget to extend the invite to the jocks as well.

This is starting to get interesting......so lets float a few ideas on where to go.....everywhere in France has a very decent camp site or gite....I stayed in a lovely one near Pontivy sort of north east from Lorient and in some lovely countryside, Josselyn was magical but there are so many places we would be spoiled for choice.

In terms of ferries our most likely start points are Roscoff and/or Cherbourg as these are served direct from Ireland.

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:There has been a little discussion about a short trip to France, possibly a camping one but in May/early June there are great mobile home deals and midweek options. My own personal preference is for camping but a few have suggested its not for them so maybe the mobile home type of option might be a good compromise?

Say arrive Thursday morning depart Monday or Tuesday evening. Choice of ferries, from Dublin, Rosslare or Cork [Saturday only]. French ports choice Cherbourg Roscoff or St Nazaire. Possibly go out on one route and back on another.

I am just putting this post up to see what interest we might generate. 88KE and myself have explored the idea in depth but due to work commitments we have to be very flexible so nothing is cast in stone.

Possibly going to the Shetland Islands for the Simmer Dim Rally 19th to 22nd June again so I am doubtful for this trip. I will watch for developments.
Regards JR

JR

That sounds like an excellent trip. I take it that its not a camping trip........  

I have been to the Outer Hebrides and western isles and would love Shetland and Orkney....amazing ferry services out to these islands and the hospitality is unbelievable.

Enjoy the trip, wonder now will any others head for that one?

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:JR

That sounds like an excellent trip. I take it that its not a camping trip........  

I have been to the Outer Hebrides and western isles and would love Shetland and Orkney....amazing ferry services out to these islands and the hospitality is unbelievable.

Enjoy the trip, wonder now will any others head for that one?

Rally is held in Vidlin at a crossroads in the middle of nowhere. The venue is a large Marquee with a bar at one end and live music at the other and a variety of drinking games using locally produced drinking machines   and includes the "boot party"and other drunken capers and usually includes a visit from that years Yarl squad,See http://visit.shetland.org/up-helly-aa 
     Vidlin consists of a local shop/off licence/fuel station, a local hall where meals are served and a childrens playground. Most of the "real bikers" camp out in all weather,and its not unusual to see happy   bikers     being ferried to their tents in wheelbarrows or such like   but for me its B&B.   Ferry to Lerwick is 12.5 hours overnight. The trip takes 2 days and 2 ferries to get there so plan on taking a week tuesday to tuesday. There are usually some Irish there, on my first trip several years ago I met a bunch of guys from Limerick that I had never met at home. Its a great trip as long as you are not expecting great weather, although its is usually ok in June, but may be soft and usually 10degs cooler than down here. Its already booked out for 2014 and attendance is by invite only, so check out the Simmer Dim page on Facebook and request an invite for 2015 if interested.
JR

Sorry,
         Did not intend to hijack the French trip thread just thought someone might be interested in the Simmer Dim.
Regards
JR

Cluain Sí wrote:Sorry,
         Did not intend to hijack the French trip thread just thought someone might be interested in the Simmer Dim.
Regards
JR

I must make it to the Simmer Dim sometime . My nephew has been to it a few times and thinks its a great event.

I have a static caravan at Camping Les 2 Lacs in Beauville, Lot et Garonne. Lovely riding half a day from Pyrenees. Management are Dutch and very bike friendly. I have a K100 RT and would be interested in joining the run. My email jayseabea@hotmail.com

Ok this is what I have now got.

I am looking at potentially using Brittany Ferries  Cork to Roscoff Ferry on Saturday 7th June 4.30pm sailing arriving 8am Saturday morning and returning from Roscoff Friday night 13th June 21.30 sailing arriving approx 11am Saturday morning at Cork. Alternative is ex Rosslare on Friday 6th and return on Sunday 15th from Roscoff, or use Brittany Ferries to come back.

Cost is €222 including reserved seat, extra for a cabin on Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries was €204. I did not try LD lines due to the longer crossing time, arriving late afternoon.

I am open to suggestions. However I have made up my mind I want a week or so in France and this seems to be my best opportunity. Camping is probably the most flexible as there is no real need to prebook much and sites are plentiful at that time. Open to suggestions as to exactly where to go, have been over many times and know some really nice places worth a visit.

Notts K100 and a some others have also expressed interest and getting to Roscoff from the UK is comparatively easy too so it would make a nice meeting point.

If no takers I would probably head down towards Bordeaux, its only 6-7 hours on the motorway.

This finally settled on 88KE and myself booking a ferry to arrive in Cherbourg at 11am on Wednesday 14th May, leaving at 6pm on Tuesday 20th. We got the ferry for €180 each which includes cabin. Our run down to Perigueux is 660km. Comberjohn and Sgmayhew have also expressed interest.

Camping gear all sorted and Ks being fettled for the trip...

I did PM anyone who expressed interest too.

Hopefully some good video and photo posts afterwards...

Still interested in joining you. Should know for certain in about a week.
Even been pricing tents!

We hope you will make it too...!

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:We hope you will make it too...!

+ 1   

TacKler,

When are you setting off on your long trip?..........

Should be Alsace/Rhine on 2 May.

Comberjohn wrote:Still interested in joining you. Should know for certain in about a week.
Even been pricing tents!

Comber John, I have 2 x spare 2-man-tents compact and easy to erect have used both on biking trips and you are welcome to use one if you wish. Dome/igloo  type, waterproof etc.

Will

Thanks Will. Might take you up on that offer.
Haven't camped for years but, if all goes according to plan, I'll maybe get equipped properly.